Police Break Up Arab Riot in Jerusalem

Arabs rioted throughout Judea and Samaria Tuesday, accusing Israel of causing the death of an Arab terrorist who died of cancer

By David Lev

First Publish: 4/2/2013, 10:56 PM

Arab riot

Flash90

Arabs rioted throughout Judea and Samaria Tuesday, accusing Israel of causing the death of an Arab terrorist who had been imprisoned in Israel and who died of cancer in an Israeli hospital. On Tuesday night, Arabs in Jerusalem attacked police and security forces who were trying to restore order near the Damascus Gate.

Police attempted to break up an illegal demonstration by local Arabs, demanding that they leave the area. In response, Arabs threw stones and other objects at police. Police used anti-riot tactics to break up the crowd. Several Arabs were lightly injured, and were treated at the scene by Israeli volunteers.

The riot in Jerusalem Tuesday night follows a string of similar riots in cities throughout Arab controlled areas of Judea and Samaria. Arab terrorist prisoners also went on a hunger strike Tuesday afternoon, refusing to eat in sympathy with their fellow terrorist.

The 63 year old terrorist, Maissara Abu Hamdiyeh, who was serving a life sentence, was diagnosed with cancer in February. He was convicted of murder for his role in bombing a cafe in Jerusalem's German Colony in 2002.

PA officials blamed Israel for the terrorist's death. PA chief Mahmoud Abbas said that “we have warned Israel for a long time about this prisoner's extended remand in light of his failing health. We see this death as part of a long chain of Palestinians killed in Israeli prisons,” he added.